Disputed medical records of Karmapa go missing

CHANDIGARH: The medical records of the 17th Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorje, which had created a controversy 11 years ago over his age, have gone missing from PGI, Chandigarh.

The PGI, where he was admitted, had seen a huge gathering of intelligentsia and Tibetans from all across the country when he was crowned the 17th Karmapa. It was then, during the course of treatment, that his age became a point of controversy as it was crucial for being eligible to head the sect.

He claimed he had turned 15, which was disputed. "It has been a long time to recall, but his endocrinology tests (hormones, including the growth hormones) and X-ray did not conform to the age he claimed and pointed to him being a major. Our object, though, was not to ascertain his age. It occurred in the process," said then joint medical superintendent of PGI, Dr D Behera. "I had handed over the medical report to the PGI," he added. But the present medical superintendent, Dr A K Gupta said: "We do not have his records as it was a top secret document."

In December 2003, TOI had reported that the Delhi HC had issued notices to the Karmapa, MEA and MHA on a petition challenging the validity of his appointment. The petitioner had requested the court to restrain him from interfering in the sect's religious affairs and accused him of being part of a Chinese gameplan to annex Sikkim from India.